Broody hens-dumb question.

[LarryPQ]

I had 2 broodies--both of which stunk at hatching, so in the interest of their health, I snuck some chicks under them.

Both holed up in seperate boxes here:


I was able to put a peice of hardware cloth inside each box to keep the chicks from falling out, and the other chickens from bothering them.


Alas- I needed my stinkin' nesting boxes back (the layers had a riot brewing), so I split the big brooder into thirds. One for each momma and babies, and one for the kitchen-raised chicks.


Eventually, the chicks & mommas will be too large for their spaces. At what point can I put them & mommas in the big coop, unrestricted? Or should I wait a few weeks and separate chicks from moms and just let the chicks have free run of the large brooder?

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
That's what I do...it gets the hens laying again faster, and makes the chicks more handleable...

 

[midget_farms]

You could let the moms & babies in with the rest of the birds now. The moms will protect the chicks to no end. As far as laying goes though it may be a while before they go back to laying.

 

[LarryPQ]

Can you really eat 50 eggs? At once?

Because I could eat 50 eggs in a week, or at a REALLY bad family reunion.